ARLINGTON -- Ian Kinsler's first game this season in his former home, Globe Life Park, was a short one. The Tigers' second baseman was ejected in the fifth inning of Monday's 6-2 loss to the Rangers for arguing balls and strikes with plate umpire Angel Hernandez, who ejected manager Brad Ausmus moments later.
Kinsler, who grounded out in each of his first two at-bats, disagreed with a low first-pitch strike from Rangers starter Martin Perez. But the ejection didn't occur until the next pitch, a ball outside. Whatever Kinsler said after the pitch prompted an immediate ejection.
"I'm sure that's what led to Kinsler's ejection," said bench coach Gene Lamont, who took over as manager once Ausmus was tossed after defending Kinsler. "You get frustrated and say the wrong thing. Next thing you know, you're gone. And then Brad was going up there to stick up for him, and he evidently said something that [Hernandez] didn't like, either."
The issues had been building over the course of the game.
"I think if you put it diplomatically, I don't think either team was overly pleased," catcher James McCann said of the strike zone.
It was the 11th career ejection for Kinsler, and the 13th as a manager for Ausmus, who has been tossed three times this season, the last time on June 23 at San Diego.